Gov. Bill Haslam delivers his annual State of the State address to the state legislature and the people of Tennessee at the Capitol on Feb. 3, 2014. / Larry McCormack / File / The Tennessen

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Gov. Bill Haslam last week proposed three things that will directly make the lives of Tennesseans better. Yes, they will cost money. They are worth it.

The three pieces of legislation, which are key points in Haslam’s proposed budget, share this in common: If passed, they will help Tennessee’s children.

First, Haslam wants to offer free tuition and fees at all two-year community colleges and technical schools anywhere in the state. This opens the doors of higher education to an entire population of high school seniors whose families cannot afford for them to go to college.

It’s a key part of Haslam’s goal that by 2025, 55 percent of Tennessee’s eligible students graduate from college. Right now, only 32 percent attend and graduate. Companies that want to relocate or build in Tennessee cannot fill high-tech jobs with the workforce available here.

Haslam has found a brilliant way to pay for it without raising taxes. He wants to use part of the $300 million “rainy day” fund that was generated by people buying lottery tickets. That money can be used only for education. How can state leaders justify sitting on $300 million when kids want to go to college but can’t afford it?

The other two proposals that stand out in Haslam’s legislative package this year aren’t nearly as sexy as free tuition to college, but they are equally important — if not more so — because they deal with the safety of Tennessee’s most vulnerable citizens.

Haslam is keeping a promise he made last year to increase funding for the Department of Children’s Services. He proposes adding $6.4 million to hire 40 more field services workers and 45 more investigators. These are the folks who have the emotionally tough job of investigating child abuse complaints. The department was in shambles before Commissioner Kate O’Day resigned and Haslam appointed Jim Henry to the job. He has quickly moved to clean up the problems. Haslam hasn’t said how he’ll pay for these new jobs, but the children in Tennessee are worth it.

So are the adults with disabilities who cannot care for themselves. Haslam proposed an additional $7 million for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It would pay for more residential and day services and continue funding for family services. This is a department that has undergone deep budget cuts every year in recent history. The clients served don’t have much political clout. But the state has a moral obligation to make sure they are cared for and given a healthy environment in which to live.

Haslam has been criticized for cutting taxes on the wealthy and luring businesses to Tennessee with lucrative development deals. There are pros and cons to those actions.

But on these three proposals, Gov. Haslam has it exactly right.

Gail Kerr’s column runs on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Reach her at 615-259-8085.